Introduction
| This centre is a major initiative across the University of Cambridge to unite a wide range of specialist disciplines in nuclear energy research and technology. |
Educating the Nuclear Energy Leaders of Tomorrow
After a long period of nuclear industry run-down and dormancy, the case for nuclear energy is being made around the world. This case is based on the attraction of predictable costs, the need for action on climate change and the requirements for energy security.
In the UK, three groups of utilities are planning to invest collectively at least £30bn over the next 15 years in new reactors which could supply 30% of UK electricity demand by 2030.
Around the world we see other nuclear programmes at varying stages of development. New construction is occurring in Finland, France, China, India and Korea. Preparations for new build are well advanced in the US. Also, many other countries are planning either: to re-start their nuclear build programmes (Czech Republic, Canada, Brazil, Switzerland, Romania etc.), or to start from scratch (UAE, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Vietnam etc).
R&D projects are being launched with major spend on fusion with ITER, and prototype next-generation fission reactors being considered in Europe, the US and the Far East.
Nuclear is likely to become a multi-billion $ international business within 20 years. It is clear that there will a major demand for skilled and capable engineering and management staff.
In the UK as in other Western countries the number of nuclear energy staff has been run down and many of those still in the industry are approaching retirement. Also, the scale and speed of the new-build program will provide a major challenge both for construction and subsequent operation in the UK. Similarly, other countries will amplify this demand for business, engineering, construction capability and management with a good understanding of the special needs of nuclear power generation.
To be successful, nuclear energy requires both high levels of technical and business competence together with unremitting attention to high standards of current safety and continuous improvement of tomorrow's safety.
Cambridge is planning to respond to this prospect of a nuclear renaissance by creating a premium Masters-level degree course in Nuclear Energy starting in 2011, led by the Department of Engineering but run in conjunction with Cambridge Judge Business School (JBS), and the Departments of Physics, Materials Science & Metallurgy, and Earth Sciences.
It will provide:
- a thorough grounding in the engineering, scientific and safety aspects of nuclear power;
- a good understanding of nuclear technology policy together with relevant business and policy understanding;
- an appreciation of the wider policy contexts of electricity generation in the 21st century.
Details of the MPhil in Nuclear Energy can be found at: http://www-diva.eng.cam.ac.uk/mphil-in-nuclear-energy/
Latest news about the MPhil can be found at: http://www-diva.eng.cam.ac.uk/news/
PhD vacancies, when available within the associated departments, may be found at: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/hr/jobs/vacancies.cgi?listing=9